Most people don't even know how much their lives were affected by Richard Matheson. He not only wrote some of the best science fiction, horror and fantasy in film and television (The Incredible Shrinking Man, Hell House, What Dreams May Come and the book on which Somewhere In Time was based), but he invented the modern zombie genre with I Am Legend. Matheson was a national treasure. 

Trader Joe's Cashier: So whatcha doing these days, sweetie?

Me: Not much...just trying to get this book published.

Cashier: A book? You wrote a book?

Me: Yeah.

Cashier: How long did it take you to write it?

Me: Seven months. And I've spent a month so far trying to get it published.

Cashier: Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Me: Thank you, that's very sweet.

Cashier: Hey, I know what you're going through. My husband's been out of work for a year too.

Just started the second installment of my book series. Sure, the first book hasn't been sold to anyone, but why until the last minute?

Add caption

And then there's that special moment in the life of every novelist when he receives his first rejection slip.